The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-01-14
FENcINo.
heuss Force Counts for Little, but
Endurance skill, and Judgment
Are tho Qualities That Tell.


As two well-known professionals and
Enthusiasts are soon to meet in this
nty at gymnastic tournament in
bout with tho fols to illustrate the art
hat has SO lorg been recognized among
Ae sports of the world, a few points
IN o legitimate department OF indoor
pastimes seem timely, says The Provi-
knce Journal. There are some good
lencers and some very excellent ex-
perts with the foils of this city, but the
slever professional handler of the foils
In this community, where dueling
newer was in vogue, is not without his
rlory He is the clearly recognized
and honorcd man among those who
seek to become experts, and they look
I'D TO him with a good deal OF lofty
bride. In many athletic associations
there are special prizes for proficiency
m the art OF fencing. Just as there are in
boxing, and no irst-class gymnastic
entertainment in many communities
TEENS to be complete without the intro
iuction of little combat with the foils.
But in the swell athletic entertain
nents there are few outside of the
regular professional fencers who APP
bear in public. They study and prac-
lice the art just for recreation and
amusement, as does the devotee OF the
'.manly art. " They are not desrous
IF putting it into actual practice, and
hey are seldom to be found making n
public exhibition of their accomplish
ment. 1t seems strange, but II good
,wordsman, who devotes his time to
,eachng class of pupils how to use
The fols scientifically. declares that it
not necessary that n pupil should
have other athletic exercise in order 10
become good fencer. BY iud cous
study with tho sword, if nature has
lot given II person strong arms and
legs he may acquire them. A person
would do very poorly who had not II
good athlet figure. Everything
That is demanded in good
athlete is considered necessary to
make n good fencer-streuglh agility,
good and speedy judgment, and-not
east-endurance. Fencing appears TO
DC the highest form of physical contest,
and naturally the best kind of sport.
Il is argued that sport without contest
IS partially worthless. In fencing
there is the contest that makes sport
he truest kind OF athletic exercise. a
nan VIII run Il mile in training because
nc is about to try his powers with
someone else. Men will run farther.
swim faster. row harder and jump
higher just because they are ambitious
20 beat some other man. And il is this
spirit OF emulation and direct rivalry
that gives zest and life TO this training
for muscular activity. In wrestling and
boxing and grcat'manv similar sports
1t is seen that brute force generally
wins in the contest. In the art of
iencing the case is directly the reverse.
Brute force counts for little or nothing.
but endurance, skill, and Judgment are
The qualities that tell and come out
ahead in contest with the brisk little
stcels. As in boxing and wrestl ny.
there arc positions in fencing, and
they are very difficult for the novice to
learn and acquire correctly. First of
all. in fencing. rs in gymnast.c cxer-
ciscs. suit adapted 10 the qu elk, in
spring changes. and the general ac-
livity of body that are INDUCED in is
necessary. So the thing ON the pro-
gramme for consideration is complete
change of clothing There are shoes
Of slippers especially suited to the ex-
erclse of fencing. They are light, and
Ahen on the feet, being thrown here
and there in the FRAY. they touch the
floor as gently as habv's slippers.
A pair OF trunks" usual in
gymnast'c exercises. are also
worn. Then there is The noticeabls
padded Jacket. This is the most re-
markablc feature of fcnccr's suit. Ii
Is fully tight-ittlng enough for easy
movement. and 1t has thick
'y-paddcd wooden front covering the
entire breast and stomach. Then there
IS wire mask that is hardly dis
from baseball pitchers
mask. And to complete the strange
costume the fcnccr wears big stuffed
glove similar to a boxers glove. but not
20 fixed. Each finger on the iencer's
hand is sep rately sheaihed. and his
glove is flexible, aud the fingers are as
rec in the movements rs II no glove
we're worn. The mask worn by the
'enccr entirely protects his ears and
sres from tho assaults of his rival or
opponent. The articles spoken of are
hose usually worn by the novicc--the
pupil. They are somewhat different IA
he case of the teacher or the expert.
professor of fencing usually wears in
place of thick padded jacket Il breast
,atc. thick and hard. The reason for
his is that while the professor can pro-
ect his pupil from the thrusts of his
oil he himself Is liable 10 suffer from